Viagra Lawsuit

Studies have linked Viagra (Sildenafil) to an increased risk of developing melanoma, a deadly skin cancer. According to a study done by the Journal of American Medicine Association (JAMA) men who have taken Viagra increase their risk of developing melanoma skin cancer. A women in Tennessee, Tina Stockton, has recently filed a Viagra lawsuit against Pfizer, for the death of her husband to melanoma cancer. More and more Viagra lawsuits will be filed as the public becomes more aware of the Viagra melanoma risk.

Were you diagnosed with melanoma after taking viagra?

Viagra and Melanoma Risk

Since the Viagra was approved in 1998, the little blue pill has been a landmark drug for Pfizer, selling 1.3 billion dollars worldwide in 2013 alone. Originally formulated to treat heart disease and high blood pressure, it was found to have a better use in treating erectile dysfunction in men. As one of the first drugs on the market to treat erectile dysfunction, Viagra became wildly popular and has since become a household name.

However, Viagra has side effects that have resulted in serious health problems in men. Some users of Viagra experienced heart problems, stroke, vision and hearing problems and filed lawsuits. These men won millions in lawsuits against Pfizer and the FDA required Pfizer to place additional warnings on the label.

Viagra’s safety problems have not ended there. A 2013 study done by the Journal of American medicine Association (JAMA) found that men who have ever taken Viagra double their risk of developing melanoma skin cancer, and men who are regularly taking Viagra increase their melanoma risk by 84%. Viagra’s label currently fails to warn patients of any increased risk of melanoma cancer.

Why File a Viagra Melanoma Lawsuit

Viagra melanoma lawsuits that are being filed state that if patients taking Viagra knew about the risk between Viagra and cancer, they would not have taken the drug or may have more closely monitored symptoms of melanoma.

Men who are unaware that they are at a higher risk of melanoma can fail to notice the early signs of the deadly skin cancer. When caught early enough, melanoma is very treatable. However, if left untreated or undiagnosed, melanoma can enter an advanced stage and spread through to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. When melanoma enters this advanced stage, expensive treatments are needed and may only work to improve a patient’s quality of life.

Treatments for Melanoma Are Costly

Treating melanoma skin cancer is a emotionally and financially stressful for patients and their families. Treatment for melanoma typically includes multiple doctors visits, surgeries, medication, and more. These costs can add up to over hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly and quickly overwhelm a patient’s financial resources.

Surgery

This is the primary treatment for all stages of melanoma. In advanced stage melanoma that has spread to vital organs, surgery may be performed to improve the patient’s quality of life.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used to stop or halt the growth of cancer cells. Usually taken either intravenously or by mouth as a pill, it travels through the bloodstream to reach any part of the body where cancer cells have spread.

Radiation therapy

External radiation therapy is used to treat melanoma cancer. External radiation therapy uses a machine outside of the body to send radiation towards the cancer to stop cancer growth.

Biologic Therapy
Biologic therapy uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. It is also known as biotherapy or immunotherapy.

Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that uses drugs or other substances with the goal of destroying cancer cells while leaving normal cells intact. They are “targeted” to the tumor and may have fewer side effects than chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Viagra Melanoma Lawsuits That Have Been Filed

Many lawsuits that have been filed allege that Pfizer of failure to warn of the dangers of Viagra and melanoma. Pfizer knew or should have known the risks of melanoma and Viagra use but did not adequately warn consumers.

Tina M. Stockton

The widow of a man who died from melanoma cancer has filed a Viagra lawsuit against Pfizer. The plaintiff’s husband, David Stockton, was prescribed Viagra and continued to take it for 7 years. Tina argues that if her husband knew the risks of Viagra and melanoma cancer, he would have limited his use of the drug.

Edward Corboy Jr.

Corboy was taking Viagra to treat his erectile dysfunction and was later diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. He is filing a lawsuit claiming he would have never used Viagra if he had known he would have a greater risk of developing skin cancer.

Were You Diagnosed with Melanoma After Taking Viagra?

Pfizer has a duty to ensure that their drug is safe and that patients and doctors are well informed of the risks that associated with their drug. Pfizer’s Viagra has been to court in the past for negligence with side effects that resulted in serious health problems in men. Pfizer may be once again showing additional negligence by not informing men of the increased risks their drug has with melanoma skin cancer.

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer after taking Viagra, you have legal rights that need to be protected. Contact us today and we’ll connect you with an experienced lawyer to assist you in your claim every step of the way.